“You’re a poet and don’t know it,” is what they would say when you accidentally said something that rhymed. Those of us who are poetically-challenged remember struggling to create haikus in high school and finding great joy in limericks. We might be able to sit this one out…
The Lebanon Community Library has announced its 21st Annual Poetry Contest is underway with entries being accepted now through Feb. 28.
According to a library press release, the contest is open to anyone who is a member of any of the Lebanon County Libraries. 20 winners will be announced on March 31. Entries will be divided into two age groups: up to 8th grade and 9th grade to adult, with 10 winners from each age group.
Interested individuals can submit up to two entries and must include a completed contest entry form. You can get the entry form and read all the contest rules on the library website. This page also gives you information on your different submission options.
“Jackie Kruper, Joan Weaver, and Jo Roussey are volunteering their time as our judges,” said Library Director Michelle Hawk in an interview with LebTown. “Winning entries will be judged on technical skill, but the primary criteria is the appeal of the poem to a broad audience.”
After winners are announced at the end of March, there will be a poetry reading featuring the winners, scheduled for April 27 at 6:00 p.m. That event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Lebanon Community Library (125 N. 7th Street).
Orders will be taken at that time to purchase a bound volume of this year’s winning entries. A copy will also be permanently added to library shelves for all to enjoy.
If you have questions about the Poetry Contest, call Barbara Doughty at the library (717-273-7624) or email her at lebanonlibrarypoetry@yahoo.com.
Up next at the library will be a contest for kids to “Write and Illustrate Your Own Book.” Details will be announced soon.
Creative juices flowing? What are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
“There was an old farmer from Tulsa”…..